HC Deb 01 March 1926 vol 192 cc1008-9
24. Commander LOCKER-LAMPSON

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much money has been allocated for emigration since the signing of peace; and how much has been spent?

Mr. AMERY

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 5th February to a question asked by the hon. Member for Govan.

27. Mr. HURD

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he will invite the Canadian Government to consider whether the entry into Canada of approved British boys and girls under 14 years of age should now be resumed under adequate safeguards for their future?

Mr. AMERY

The restriction to which my hon. Friend refers was imposed in the first instance for a period of three years as from 1st January, 1925, and I doubt whether the Canadian Government will be prepared to reconsider the position before the expiration of that period.

Mr. HURD

In the meantime, will some further inquiry be made to see whether this restriction is really based on any substantial facts?

Mr. AMERY

These are facts which are considered to be substantial by the Dominion Government, and the Commission which was sent from this country thought there was sufficient evidence to warrant the discontinuance of Government assistance to that form of emigration. But naturally we are keeping the whole matter constantly in view, and we are getting information all the time.

28. Captain GUNSTON

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has received the Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee appointed to consider the effect on migration of schemes of social insurance?

Mr. AMERY

Yes, Sir; the Report is now being printed, and I hope that it will be possible to lay it before Parliament in the course of next week.

25. Mr. WARD LAW-MILNE

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs how much has been expended in the last three years under the Empire Settlement Act out of the £3,000,000 per annum set aside for the purpose of Empire settlement in that Measure?

Mr. AMERY

The expenditure under the Empire Settlement Act has been as follows: In 1922–23, £35,464; 1923–24, £423,994; 1924–25, £439,051; period 1st April, 1925, to 23rd February, 1926, £352,553; total, £1,251,062.